A group that counsels Iowa women running for office plans to meet with female candidates who were on the 2016 ballot in Iowa — but lost.
*
That’s Mary Ellen Miller, executive director of 50-50 in 2020. The group’s name reflects the goal of “gender equity” — having half of the state’s lawmakers be women. Sixty-five Iowa women ran for state or federal office in 2016 — a record number.
*
Later in the year, the 50-50 in 2020 group will launch its new “Step Up” program, to talk with women who are already holding office at the local level and encourage them to run for higher office. In addition, the group is starting chapters at Iowa colleges and universities to encourage young women to consider running for office at some point in their lives.
…………………